Stephen Harper will initiate reforms to elect senators and set fixed election dates
Conservatives will also reform local nomination process
Today in Vancouver, Stephen Harper released the Conservative plan of Democratic Reform which will see elected senators, fixed election dates and a cleaner nomination process.
“We need sweeping reforms to show Canadians that their national government will not tolerate corruption in the future,” said Mr. Harper. “Cleaning up corruption and restoring accountability is the first step. We also need to vigorously pursue other measures to put Canada back in the forefront of democratic practice.”
Elements in the Conservative plan of Democratic Reform include:
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Introducing fixed election dates every four years, except when a government loses the confidence of the House;
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Establishing a federal process for electing Senators;
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Ending “parachute” candidates by requiring that a party’s local candidate has the approval of their constituency associations;
While Canada has led the world in shaping and consolidating vibrant democratic institutions, our democratic institutions are failing to keep pace with the expectations of Canadians and the needs of a changing society.
The choice Canadians face on January 23 is between a practical Conservative plan to revitalize democracy and a Liberal pattern of dithering and inaction. Only the Conservative Party can deliver the change of government that is needed to update our democratic institutions to reflect the growing demand of Canadians for more accountable government.
